Homework 1
BME 304
By Zaid Choudhry
1. If you could design a material to replace or augment any part of the human body, what
would it be — and what superpower or special property would you give it?
If I could design a material to replace or augment any part of the body, it would be for the
entire body, and it would be inspired by the movie Black Panther. In the movie, the hero, Black
Panther, uses his suit made of a material known as Vibranium to absorb kinetic energy and
redirect it as purple sound waves. I would design a material similar to this as it would help the
military and law enforcement. But, although it sounds cool in concept, it definitely is a bit
unrealistic.
2. What is the main difference between the old definitions for biomaterials and those from
recent years?
The main difference between the old definitions for biomaterials and those from recent
years is that the old definition used to focus on biomaterials being non-living materials used in
the body to replace or support tissues and organs. But recent definitions are broader and
emphasize that biomaterials are materials designed to interact with biological systems for
medical purposes, not only replacement but also diagnosis, therapy, regeneration, and tissue
engineering.
3. Why are polymers not good conductors of electricity in general?
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Polymers are not good conductors of electricity in general because their molecular
structure consists of long chains of covalently bonded atoms with localized electrons.
4. Of the different families of materials (metals, ceramics and polymers), which are
generally the hardest and brittle? Which are the least?
Of the different families of materials, generally, the hardest materials are ceramics, and
the most brittle are polymers. Metals are between being strong and tough, but not as brittle as
ceramics.
5. If you had to produce an artificial artery, what are the essential properties you will
incorporate into your design? Which type of material would you first consider? Why?
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If I had to produce an artificial artery, the essential properties I would incorporate into my
design would include making the artificial artery out of a biomaterial that can safely interact with
the rest of the body without poisoning or damaging it. I would also consider its durability to make
sure the material would withstand being in the body as it moves. I would also need to make sure
that the artery can be manufactured at a large scale, while also being able to be adjusted to fit
any patient’s specific size. As for the material, I would use synthetic polymers because they
have proven well for clinical use according to research, and they may not be the strongest, but
relative to the needs of the body, they are durable enough.